SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars

Context

Collaboration between corporates and startups, if done right, can bring tremendous benefit to both. Startups can access invaluable resources and market insight which can help them scale, whilst for established companies, such collaborations offer an important mode of innovation – as well as subtler benefits like cultural change. However, it is hard to get it right. We believe that the organisations doing this well should be recognised as trailblazers, and hope that they inspire others to follow suit. SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars is aimed at showcasing best practices and role model how the corporate-startup collaboration might benefit both sides.

Methodology

Mind the Bridge, together with Nesta, annually elaborates the “ SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars” – a ranking of more ‘startup-friendly’ corporates in Europe. Awarded companies have gone the extra mile to establish mutually-beneficial partnerships with startups – whether through procurement/licensing/partnerships, accelerators, direct investment, acquisitions or other dedicated internal programmes.

Specifically, the top 12 companies are awarded as SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars, while 24 other companies are recognized as SEP Europe’s Open Innovation Challengers. Additionally, special prizes are annually awarded by a top notch judging committee as indicated below:

SEP Europe’s Corporate Startup Stars 2017 Ranking will be announced in Brussels on December 18, 2018 during an Award Ceremony at the presence of Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation.